They are in this together, so to speak. The pair of 2017 first round picks will be forever linked together in San Francisco 49ers history. That fact is not lost on Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, despite never meeting one another before arriving at team headquarters on Friday afternoon.
To say the standout defensive prospects became fast friends appears to be an understatement.
"No, we haven't met before, but I've spent about 10 minutes with him and I already feel like he's my brother," Thomas said at a joint press conference on Tuesday to introduce the first-rounders.
"That's right," Foster chimed in. "He's right about that."
That wasn't the only reference to family during the presser. Foster explained that the allure of coming to San Francisco stemmed from the vibes he got from John Lynch during the pre-draft process.
"It was funny, fun, home, welcoming," Foster said, "it was like a real home, like love, like family."
The team's new defensive cornerstones will be relied upon to be tone-setters in Robert Saleh's 4-3 defensive scheme.
Thomas, a heralded pass-rusher out of Stanford, and Foster, a sideline-to-sideline wrecking ball of a linebacker, represent a continued focus towards building a young nucleus on defense. San Francisco has used six first round picks on defensive players since 2013: Eric Reid ('13), Jimmie Ward ('14), Arik Armstead ('15) and DeForest Buckner ('16) being the other four.
But first things first, Foster and Thomas will have to earn their stripes before they see a prominent role on gameday.
"I can't come in here and say I'm just going to start right away," Thomas said. "I have to work with the guys, get to know my teammates, become a great teammate, become a great practice player and just earn my stripes as I go on and keep working and working until I can say I can get there."
Added Foster: "No, I don't think about starting. I'm coming in humble. I'm coming in to pick some brains, just get to know the coaches and the players and just really be humble and love one another and just let them carry me and show me the way, show me the ropes."
Things will come quick from here. Rookie minicamp is next week, and then they'll continue the offseason program with the rest of their brothers on the roster.
"I'm ready to go to work with these guys and have a great time," Thomas said.
